to know if you are out of tolerance. When you are building a
wall you use several piles, so it’s very important to calculate the
overlap between them.”
Lariau has been leading Jean Lutz North America since
2014. The office specializes in four key areas: auger cast, ver-ticality
control, jetgrouting and other instrumentation and
sensor solutions.
“Verticality control is our number one product,” he said.
“The market was always looking for a flexible and easy to use
solution. We developed PRAD at a good time when we had
wearable technology at a reasonable price.
“Since then, other systems have come to market that
allow you to check the verticality of the pile, but they are
difficult to operate and very expensive – and they are used
after drilling.”
Lariau said the first time Jean Lutz dropped the PRAD
sensor into the ground, it knew the device would be a winner.
“The customers were excited by the type of data it pro-duced.
It answered our customers’ needs. We were confident
because we had so many inquiries about developing this type
of product, one you can use while drilling. Our product fits
perfectly on the drill bit. You don’t need any additional instal-lation.
That’s what makes it unique.”
Most of the time, he explained, the PRAD sensor is used to
build a secant wall before an excavation.
“If you want to make a foundation, you need to make the
location waterproof first. The only way to do that is to make a
wall of secant piles to block the water. Once that wall is built,
you do the excavation.
“With our system, you will know where you may need to
do some remediation work to ensure you are watertight. It’s
better to fix this before excavating.”
Not only is the PRAD sensor’s data accurate, but it’s
extremely easy to use. In just a half-day, operators can be
trained to use the sensor on the drill, as well as to interpret the
data it generates.
Since it was released, Jean Lutz has updated the PRAD sensor
with an eye to making incremental product improvements.
“In 2011, we made an update for mechanical resistance.
Then, there was a second update in 2012 for software and
wireless technology,” said Lariau. “Our first concern was
improving the accuracy of the system and making it still more
user-friendly, in order to take quicker readings.”
In Canada, the PRAD sensor has been used during con-struction
of the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit line in
Toronto, as well as at construction sites in Montréal, Vancouver
and Québec City.
Canadian companies interested in testing the equipment
can rent a basic system for about US$600 per week, according
to Lariau.
Although there is no dealership in Canada, customers
can order equipment through Jean Lutz North America’s
Ohio location.
From sales to installation and training to technical support,
Lariau said the company aims to increase awareness about its
products on this side of the Atlantic.
“We want to be considered as a main actor in the North
American market.”
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
44 Q3 2018 www.pilingcanada.ca
/www.pilingcanada.ca
/www.pilingcanada.ca
